A Thai-Indian man has been arrested after attempting to enter Thailand from Cambodia with 15.7 million baht in cash. The man, identified as Ohm, 47, was stopped by officials from the Sa Kaeo Immigration Office at the Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province on February 23, 2025.
Ohm, wearing a dark T-shirt and grey trousers with a blue backpack, was questioned by immigration officers who found his backpack filled with 1,000-baht banknotes. He presented documents confirming his Thai citizenship and ownership of a house in Bangkok. When asked, Ohm claimed the money was gambling winnings from a casino in Poipet, Cambodia.
However, authorities were skeptical of his story and suspected that the money was linked to a call center scam gang, especially since importing large sums of money into Thailand requires a prior declaration to the Customs Department, which had not been made. As a result, the cash was temporarily confiscated, and legal charges were filed against Ohm.
He faces charges under Section 242 of the Customs Act for importing goods without a customs permit. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both. Additionally, importing more than 450,000 baht without a declaration carries a punishment of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
The arrest comes amid an intensified crackdown on call center scam gangs operating in Thailand and neighboring countries. The Thai government has taken steps to disrupt scam operations, including cutting off electricity and internet access to scam bases in Myanmar and arresting key gang members, including both Thai and Chinese nationals.
Meanwhile, Cambodian police have also launched a crackdown on call center scams in Poipet, with 215 arrests made, including 109 Thai nationals. Those arrested remain under investigation by Cambodian authorities.
